Total dividends for the full year up 30% to 13 cents per share fully franked.

Origin Chairman, Kevin McCann announced that a final fully franked dividend of 7 cents per share will be paid on 15 September 2004 to shareholders of record on 26 August 2004. The Dividend Reinvestment Plan will continue to apply for this dividend. As foreshadowed no discount will apply.

In commenting on the Company's performance Mr. McCann said "The 30% increase in dividends for the year to 13 cents per share reflects the underlying growth in profits. This growth is based on the strength and diversity of the company's business."

Managing Director, Grant King said "The company's strategy of operating across the energy supply chain delivered earnings growth in an environment of increasing competition and unexpected events."

Increased oil sales from the Perth Basin and higher gas prices boosted the Exploration and Production result and offset a significant disruption to production as a result of a fire at the Moomba Gas Plant in January. In line with increased sales revenue, Exploration and Production EBITDA increased 5% from $187.6 million to $197.2 million.

The Retail business recorded a 2% increase in EBITDA to $236 million. Tariff increases, colder winter weather and lower LPG purchasing costs more than offset increasing levels of customer churn and increased electricity purchasing costs.

A full year contribution from the Mt Stuart Power Station and a one-off tax adjustment boosted Generation EBITDA by 44% to $69 million, while a maiden contribution from the SEA Gas Pipeline also significantly improved the Network EBITDA of $29.8 million which is up 25% on the prior year.

"The company's strong cash flows and balance sheet allowed us to take advantage of opportunities to grow the business. These opportunities add new revenue streams as well as scale and diversity which add to the strength of our business," Mr. King said.

"These included the purchase of the minority interests in Oil Company of Australia and in New Zealand the remaining 50% of the Rockgas LPG business, an interest in the Kupe gas field and, most recently, a conditional agreement to purchase 51.2 % of Contact Energy."

Mr. King said the return to full production at Moomba, increasing oil production from the Perth Basin and the commissioning of the BassGas Project later this year will contribute to the company's performance over the coming year.

"The Retail business will also benefit from a full year of tariff increases and further efficiencies that will reduce the cost to serve customers," Mr. King said.

"The Otway Gas Project, contracts for coal seam gas with AGL and QAL and the Kupe Gas Project in New Zealand will drive growth in the longer-term."

"As a result of these factors we expect that earnings from Origin's existing business for the coming year will increase consistent with the targeted growth rate of 10-15%. Assuming the Contact acquisition proceeds, its impact on earnings is expected to be accretive at an earnings per share level in the coming year."